Five candidates will contest the post of Ceann Comhairle tomorrow when the 32nd Dáil convenes.
Nominations will close at 6pm and the post will be elected by secret ballot for the first time.
Fianna Fáil has nominated the Kildare South TD, Seán O'Fhearghail who is an early favourite as some Fine Gael TDs have privately said they will support him.
The other favourite is the Dublin Central Independent TD Maureen O'Sullivan who would make history as the first woman to hold the post, and she's expected to pick up significant support on transfers.
Sinn Féin's Cavan Monaghan TD Caoimhghín O'Caoláin has also been nominated.
Two Fine Gael candidates have secured the 7 signatures required to be nominated and will go on the ballot paper – Wicklow's Andrew Doyle and Kildare North TD, Bernard Durkan.
Specualtion around the Waterford TD John Deasy ended earlier today when he ruled himself out.
The post will be filled by secret ballot when the 32nd Dáil meets for the first time at 1030 tomorrow morning.
